Big Cats

Cheetah Welfare: Illegal Pet Trade and Conservation Racing Against Time

Cheetahs face a double welfare crisis: population collapse in the wild and a brutal illegal pet trade centered in the Gulf states.

Key Facts

The cheetah population has declined from 100,000 in 1900 to approximately 7,000 today
An estimated 300+ cheetah cubs are illegally trafficked to the Gulf states annually
For every cub that reaches a buyer, up to 3 die during capture and transport
Captive cheetahs develop severe health problems from stress and inappropriate diets
Cheetahs are the only large cat that cannot roar, using chirps and purrs instead

Welfare Considerations

Cubs trafficked from East Africa to Gulf states experience severe trauma during capture (mothers are often killed), transport in cramped boxes, and arrival into alien environments. They develop stress-related disorders, dietary diseases, and die early. The buyers often do not understand their needs. Wild cheetahs face snaring, poisoning, and persecution from farmers. The species is approaching the minimum viable population threshold.

What You Can Do

Never purchase or support the cheetah pet trade in any form
Report suspected cheetah trafficking to TRAFFIC wildlife crime network
Donate to Cheetah Conservation Fund and Cheetah Experience programs
Support livestock guarding dog programs that reduce retaliatory cheetah killing
Advocate for stronger CITES enforcement against Gulf state cheetah imports